Airfoils and vehicles incorporating the same

Abstract

Airfoils and vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed herein. The airfoils include an upper surface and a lower surface. Each airfoil is configured for operative connection to an airframe via the upper surface of the airfoil. Each airfoil includes a channel extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the airfoil. Each channel is configured for fluidic communication with one or more blowers.

1 . A vehicle comprising:
 an airframe operatively connected to one or more blowers;   multiple airfoils, wherein each airfoil comprises an upper surface and a lower surface extending laterally to first and second arcuate wingtips defining a concave region bounded by the lower surface of the airfoil, wherein each airfoil is operatively connected to the airframe via the upper surface of each airfoil, wherein each airfoil comprises a channel extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the airfoil, wherein the channel is in fluidic communication with at least one of the one or more blowers.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein fluid provided by the one or more blowers into the channels of each of the multiple airfoils generates lift for the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each airfoil further comprising a nozzle extending downward from the lower surface of the airfoil in fluidic communication with the channel of the airfoil. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle for each airfoil is extendable and retractable. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of each airfoil channel comprises a straight tube. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of each airfoil channel comprises a swept tube wherein a lower orifice of the channel is offset relative to an upper orifice of the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each airfoil includes a selectively openable vent located in the upper surface of the airfoil and rearward of an upper orifice of the channel and wherein the vent is in fluidic communication with the channel, whereby when the vent is in an open position, fluid provided by the one or more blowers into the channels exits at least partially through the vent and over the upper surface of the airfoil and thereby generates lift for the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein a centerline of each airfoil has a stationary angle of attack of 5° to 25°, of 5° to 20°, of 5° to 15°, of 10° to 20°, or of 10° to 15°. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second arcuate wingtips have a stationary angle of attack of zero. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each airfoil is articulatable. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each airfoil is rigidly secured to the airframe via an aerotube in fluidic communication with the one or more blowers and with the channel of the airfoil. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein one or two airfoils of the multiple airfoils are operatively connected to a single blower and one or two airfoils of the multiple airfoils are operatively connected to a second single blower. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more turbines operatively connected to the one or more blowers. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein materials making up the upper surface and the lower surface comprise rigid materials. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein a lateral concavity of the concave region can be increased or decreased. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprises conventional wings extending from the airframe and distinct from the multiple airfoils. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils are configured to retract within the airframe or rotate against the airframe. 
     
     
         18 . An airfoil comprising an upper surface and a lower surface extending laterally to first and second arcuate wingtips defining a concave region bounded by the lower surface of the airfoil, the airfoil configured for operative connection to an airframe via the upper surface of the airfoil, the airfoil comprising a channel extending through the upper surface and the lower surface of the airfoil, wherein an upper orifice of the channel is configured for fluidic communication with one or more blowers. 
     
     
         19 . A method of hovering a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing multiple airfoils operably connected to an airframe of a vehicle, wherein each airfoil comprises an upper surface and a lower surface extending laterally to first and second arcuate wingtips defining a concave region bounded by the lower surface of the airfoil, the airfoil configured for operative connection to the airframe via the upper surface of the airfoil, the airfoil comprising a channel extending through the upper surface and the lower surface of the airfoil, wherein an upper orifice of the channel is configured for fluidic communication with one or more blowers;   blowing a fluid through a channel extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of an airfoil with sufficient volume and pressure to lift the vehicle off of a surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein moving the vehicle forward directs atmospheric air over and under each of the airfoils and provides additional lift for the vehicle.